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The Proper Way to Switching and Maintaining Your Dogs Diet

By: Amanda Maseko

Over the course of your dog's lifetime, there may be several occasions when you need to switch your dog's diet. If is important to know the proper method to change your dog's diet to ease your pet through the transition.

The proper way to switch your dog's diet takes several days. Over the course of two weeks, gradually reduce the amount of the original diet and slowly increase the food for the new diet. For example, if you typically feed your pet a diet of 3 and 1/2 cups of kibble per day, you will only want to change the diet at the rate of 1/4 cup each day. Keep in mind if you feed your dog's diet twice daily, divide the amount in half at each feeding.

Once you find a dog diet that works well to promote the health of your pet, it is best to stick with it. In fact, you should allow several weeks, and preferably months, on a new diet before assessing the results. This is true unless otherwise directed by your vet. Some instances may arise when this is not a plausible plan.

The protein and kidney failure from your dog's diet

Studies that showed a relationship to high protein levels and kidney failure that sparked concerns about protein levels in dog's diets were not sound. The research was performed on rats, not dogs. Rats primarily eat plants as their natural diet. Naturally, rats biological makeup would indicate trouble digesting diets containing high levels of protein. The rats have difficulty excreting protein due to their specific dietary needs, not because the high protein diet causes kidney failure.

It is a myth that dog's cannot properly digest high levels of protein in their diet. Kidney troubles do not result from high levels of protein in your dog's diet. Large amounts of protein can be safely digested in your dog's diet, especially when they come primarily from animal origins.

Senior dogs should not be automatically placed on lower protein diets exclusively based on age. In fact, some older pets require a dog's diet higher in protein than during their younger adult stage. Unless medically indicated, provide your pet the benefit of quality protein in your dog's diet.

The vegetarian dog diet

Taking a look at your pet's teeth, you may notice that grinding and tearing surfaces are present. This is one indication that dogs are omnivorous. This means that dogs are biological meat and plant eaters. Straying from nature can be a difficult task, but may not be impossible.

Your dog's body requires high amounts of protein. Protein is frequently provided through animal tissue and bones in the wild, as well as, in most varieties of manufactured dog diets.

As with any change you would make to your own diet, you would want to consult your physician for medical advice. Talk to a professional about the advantages and disadvantages of feeding a vegetarian dog diet to your pet. Depending on your specific plan, he or she may be able to recommend some supplements to add to the prospective vegetarian diet that will create a healthy balance for your new furry friend. If supplements are not available to create the healthy and balanced diet your dog deserves, then the two of you can discuss other options to determine a dog diet that works well for your pet and satisfies your lifestyle.

Article Source: http://www.fubrus.com

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